Galicija

The local administrative community of Galicija lies at the north-eastern end of the municipality of Žalec and covers an area of over 15 square kilometres. The community has roughly 2,000 inhabitants divided among six hamlets – Galicija, Hramše, Pernovo, Velika Pirešica, Zavrh and Železno – and extends onto the slopes of Kjumberk (628 metres) and Šentjungert/Gora (569 m). The district is also the boundary of the municipality of Žalec, since it touches on the municipalities of Celje, Dobrna and Velenje, at the border between the Savinja Valley and the Šalek Valley.

Origin of the name GalicijaThere are several theories about the origin of the name: some say it comes from the ancient word galica meaning "crow", while others maintain that it relates to the church of St James, dedicated to the apostle who, legend has it, is buried in the famous pilgrimage centre of Santiago de Compostela in Galicia, Spain.

Coat of armsThe coat of arms includes the following symbols: a shield – protecting all who stand behind it; a border – the outline of the local administrative community; a sun with six rays – representing the six hamlets that make up the community; the Roman numeral VII – it was in the seventh century that people first settled in the Galicija area; a bird – the crow or galica that has always accompanied Galicija.